§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked whether His Majesty's Government are aware that certain vessels under foreign flags are in a forward state for conversion to commerce destroyers by reason of their constantly having on board guns and certain munitions of war; and, having regard to this fact, whether the Admiralty will take further steps to ensure better co-operation than now exists between the Royal Navy and the principal steamship lines for the protection of our commerce in war time?
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty would consider whether it was desirable that certain specially selected steamers should be permanently partially armed, with a view to enabling them at very short notice to protect our commerce against similar hostile vessels in war time; and would he lay upon the Table of the House a copy of a circular on the above subject issued in 1862, in which the Government offered to provide guns for the protection of selected ships if their owners complied with stated regulations?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Admiralty have no reliable information to the effect that foreign merchant vessels have guns and munitions of war on board. If the hon. Member has any definite information on the subject I should be glad to have it and the authority on which it rests. The nature of the co-operation with the steamship lines which the hon. Member proposes is not understood. I have so far been unable to trace a copy of the circular referred to.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREWill it be any convenience to the right hon. Gentleman if I give him the main details of the circular in question?
§ Mr. McKENNAI shall be very glad if the hon. Gentleman will kindly let me have a copy of the circular.